The Rothko Painting Project is a fantastic way to learn and implement the CSS Box Model, which is a core concept in web design. We’ll dive into how this project helps you understand the box model, CSS properties, and how to creatively use them to build a visually appealing artwork. By completing this project, you’ll improve your grasp of CSS concepts while earning part of the Responsive Web Design Certification.
Rothko Painting Project?
The Rothko Painting Project is part of freeCodeCamp’s Responsive Web Design Certification curriculum. It involves recreating a simple Rothko-inspired painting using HTML and CSS. The focus is on understanding and implementing the CSS Box Model, which defines the space around elements (content, padding, border, and margin).
Key Concepts in the Rothko Painting Project
- Box Model: Learn how content, padding, borders, and margins interact to create a visually structured design.
- CSS Properties: Practice using properties like
height,width,margin,padding,box-shadow, andtransform. - Positioning and Layers: Understand how to arrange elements within a container.
Guide to the Rothko Painting
Here’s a breakdown of how the project is built using HTML and CSS:
HTML Code
code<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Rothko Painting</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
<div class="painting">
<div class="one"></div>
<div class="two"></div>
<div class="three"></div>
</div>
</body>
</html>
CSS Code
code/* General Styling */
body {
background-color: #ffffff;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
height: 100vh;
margin: 0;
}
/* Painting Container */
.painting {
width: 300px;
height: 450px;
background-color: #000000; /* Frame color */
padding: 20px;
box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
}
/* First Rectangle */
.one {
height: 100px;
background-color: #e0c040;
margin-bottom: 20px;
border-radius: 30px 25px 0 0;
box-shadow: 0 5px 5px #b20403;
}
/* Second Rectangle */
.two {
height: 120px;
background-color: #b20403;
margin-bottom: 20px;
border-radius: 30px 25px 0 0;
box-shadow: 0 5px 5px #b20403;
}
/* Third Rectangle */
.three {
height: 120px;
background-color: #b20403;
filter: blur(2px);
border-radius: 30px 25px 60px 12px;
transform: rotate(-0.2deg); /* Slight rotation for aesthetic */
}
Explanation of the Code
HTML Structure
- The
divcontainer with the classpaintingacts as the frame. - Three inner
divs (one,two, andthree) represent the painted sections.
CSS Styling
- Painting Container (
.painting):- The
widthandheightset the size of the frame. - A
box-shadowcreates depth, making the painting pop.
- The
- Rectangles (
.one,.two,.three):- Each rectangle is styled with
height,background-color, andmargin-bottomto separate them visually. border-radiusadds rounded corners, giving a soft and artistic feel.- The
box-shadowadds dimension by simulating light and shadow.
- Each rectangle is styled with
- Special Effects:
.threeusesfilter: blur(2px)to create a soft focus effect.transform: rotate(-0.2deg)introduces a slight tilt, mimicking the imperfections of handmade art.
What You Learn from This Project
- CSS Box Model:
- You’ll understand how padding, borders, and margins affect the layout of elements.
- Learn to use
box-shadowandborder-radiusfor enhanced visual appeal.
- Practical Use of CSS Filters:
- Experiment with
blurandtransformproperties to achieve artistic effects.
- Experiment with
- Creative Problem-Solving:
- Tackle design challenges by breaking them into smaller components.
Conclusion
Completing the Rothko Painting Project is a great way to combine artistic creativity with technical skills. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of CSS and how to manipulate elements effectively. Plus, you’ve added a fun, visually engaging project to your portfolio!
If you haven’t tried this project yet, head over to freeCodeCamp and dive into the Responsive Web Design Certification. It’s a fantastic way to build your skills step by step.